We use cookies to ensure that you get the best experience whilst browsing our website. By continuing to use the Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service website we assume you are happy to receive all cookies on our website.For more information read our Privacy Policy here.

The Equality Act 2010

Introduction

In October 2010 the new Equality Act 2010 came into force. The Act brings together the laws against discrimination, on any grounds, into one piece of legislation with the aim of simplifying their application. The Act identified the nine protected characteristics which are:

Age

Disability

Gender reassignment

Marriage and Civil partnership

Pregnancy and Maternity

Race

Religion or Belief

Sex

Sexual Orientation

The Act consists of a number of general and specific duties and makes clear that when carrying out its operations the Service and its employees (and any other business and its employees) must give due regard to the need to:

Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation or any other conduct prohibited by the Act in relation to the protected characteristics

Advance the equality of opportunity between all persons

Foster good relations between groups of people sharing protected characteristics and those that do not